Abstract
This study explores the multifaceted experiences of children left behind in Zimbabwe due to maternal migration to neighboring South Africa. Driven by economic hardship and political instability, many Zimbabwean women seek employment abroad, often leaving their children in the care of extended family or community members. Using arts-based participatory methods, including focus groups, storybooks, and zines, the study highlights children’s emotional, social, and educational challenges, revealing resilience amid hardship. The research emphasizes the importance of contextual factors such as kinship systems, cultural norms, and migration patterns, illustrating how family separation impacts children’s identities and wellbeing. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that address emotional support, documentation issues, and community resilience to improve outcomes for this vulnerable generation affected by transnational motherhood.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Transnational Motherhood, Maternal Migration, Immigrant Domestic Work, Family Reproduction, Transnational
